Moreover, this life at Susan's side was fast growing to be
a pain, unless he could assure himself that it would be so forever.
They were in the wheat-field, busy with the last sheaves; she
raking and he binding. The farmer and younger children had gone to
the barn with a load. Jacob was working silently and steadily, but
when they had reached the end of a row, he stopped, wiped his
wet brow, and suddenly said, "Susan, I suppose to-day finishes my
work here."
"Yes," she answered very slowly.
"And yet I'm very sorry to go."
"I--WE don't want you to go, if we could help it."
Jacob appeared to struggle with himself. He attempted to speak.
"If I could--" he brought out, and then paused. "Susan, would you
be glad if I came back?"
His eyes implored her to read his meaning. No doubt she read it
correctly, for her face flushed, her eyelids fell, and she barely
murmured, "Yes, Jacob."
"Then I'll come!" he cried; "I'll come and help you with the oats.
Don't talk of pay! Only tell me I'll be welcome! Susan, don't you
believe I'll keep my word?"
"I do indeed," said she, looking him firmly in the face.
Pages:
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179